Northern Region

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the total numbers and the percentage ratio unemployed in (a) the city of Newcastle upon Tyne, (b) Tyneside and (c) the Northern region; and what were the corresponding figures in May 1979.

Rates of unemployment are calculated only for complete travel-to-work areas and not separately for their constituent parts. The following table gives the numbers registered as unemployed and the percentage rates of unemployment in the North and South Tyneside travel-to-work areas and in the Northern region at 13 November 1980 and 10 May 1979. It also gives the numbers for the city of Newcastle upon Tyne, taken as the area covered by the Newcastle upon Tyne, Newburn and Walker employment offices, which forms part of the North Tyneside travel-to-work area.

It should be noted that the figures in the table include school leavers, numerically greater in November than in May. Moreover, they are not adjusted for seasonal influences, which normally lead to unemployment being higher in November than in May. Additionally, the figures are not strictly comparable because of the introduction, in September 1979, of fortnightly attendance and payment of benefit. It has been estimated that the resulting spurious

effect is an increase of 1,100 on the monthly figures for the Northern region as a whole from October 1979. Estimates of this effect below regional level are not available, but for the country as a whole the figures are about 1½ per cent. higher than under weekly attendance.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the total numbers of unemployed (a) males, (b) females, (c) school leavers and (d) 25 years old and younger in (i) the city of Newcastle upon Tyne, (ii) Tyneside and (iii) the Northern region; and what were the comparable numbers in May 1979.

Table 1 gives the total numbers of males and females and the numbers of school leavers under 18 years of age registered as unemployed at 13 November 1980 and 10 May 1979 in the areas specified. The figures for the city of Newcastle upon Tyne relate to the area covered by the Newcastle upon Tyne, Newburn and Walker employment offices and those for Tyneside relate to the North and South Tyneside travel-to-work areas.

Age analyses of the numbers unemployed are made quarterly in January, April, July and October. Table 2 gives the numbers under 25 years of age registered as unemployed at 9 October 1980 and 5 April 1979. The analyses do not distinguish the precise age range specified.

It should be noted that the total figures for males and females and the figures for those aged under 25 years include school leavers. The latter are numerically greater in October and November than in April and May. Moreover, the figures are not adjusted for seasonal influences, which normally lead to unemployment being higher in October and November than in April and May. Additionally, the figures for 1979 and 1980 are not strictly comparable because of the introduction, in September 1979, of fortnightly attendance and payment of benefit. It has been established that the resulting spurious effect is an increase of 1,100 on the total monthly figures for the Northern region as a whole from October 1979. Estimates of this effect by age or below regional level are not available, but for the country as a whole the total figures are about 1½ per cent. higher than under weekly attendance.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people aged 18 years and under are unemployed in (a) the city of Newcastle upon Tyne, (b) Tyneside and (c) the Northern region; and how many of these are still awaiting their first job since leaving school.

The following table gives for 9 October, the latest date for which an age analysis of the unemployed is available, the numbers of young people aged 18 years and under registered as unemployed in the areas specified and indicates the numbers of those who had not been in employment since completing full-time education. The figures for the city of Newcastle upon Tyne relate to the area covered by the Newcastle upon Tyne, Newburn and Walker employment offices and those for Tyneside relate to the North and South Tyneside travel-to-work areas.

Aged 18 years and under

of which, those who had not entered emloyment

City of Newcastle upon Tyne

3,063

1,764

Tyneside

8,902

5,141

Northern Region

27,411

15,649

The hon. Member will recall that on 21 November my right hon. Friend announced a major expansion of the youth opportunities programme to help the young unemployed.